The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration

¶ 01 Madam Chair, in line with the policy statement “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” this first Budget clearly lays out how we will rebuild the nation. A Budget is not merely figures; behind them are people’s lives. Unlike previous Budgets, this is historic.

¶ 02 People know how the elites shared benefits when they held the keys—vehicle permits, privileges, foreign trips. Now the key is with the NPP; we distribute to the people and fulfill their aspirations. After gas and fuel crises devastated lives, recovery requires method, patience, and maturity—our Budget sets this out. Development must focus on people. Hence, unprecedented allocations for social protection—because of our commitment to humanity. We are providing relief by stopping corruption, cutting waste, and reprioritizing expenditure to assist people even in a bankrupt country.

¶ 03 We know the marginalized suffered most—by race, gender, caste, income, age, disability. It is natural for our Government to focus on them. As Proverbs 31:8-9 says: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the poor and needy.” That is exactly what we plan to do.

¶ 04 We have increased Aswesuma benefits, expanded coverage and duration for vulnerable persons. We do not believe in lifelong dependence, but when someone falls out of the main economic frame, they must be supported: they have children, food and medicine needs. Therefore, Rs. 232 billion is allocated for Aswesuma as a pure spend. We did not give MPs vehicles; we provided relief to people. Kidney patients’ allowance rises from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000; elderly allowance from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000.

¶ 05 Children separated from parents due to social/economic reasons end up in certified schools, remand or care homes; they are a government responsibility. Out of sight cannot mean out of mind. We will not forget them. Many care institutions lack adequate safety and minimum standards. We allocate Rs. 500 million to improve safety and welfare in remand/certified schools and child-care institutions. We give a voice to the voiceless children.

¶ 06 Children as accused or witnesses must be transported separately from adults under the Children and Young Persons Ordinance, but due to resource constraints they are often transported with adult prisoners. Facilities and security are inadequate; long trips are done using borrowed resources, sometimes even seeking private help. The State must assume this responsibility. Our policy manifesto (p. 82) promised a child-friendly transport system for legal proceedings. Therefore, we propose Rs. 250 million in 2025 to procure suitable vehicles for transporting such children.

¶ 07 We also grant a Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance to children in residential care and orphans, with Rs. 1,000 million allocated. Social protection means the poor and needy are cared for first; if children are our asset, our actions must reflect it.

¶ 08 Education access is also addressed: children in care will be referred to nearby national or suitable schools.

¶ 09 On rule of law, we strengthen the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to combat corruption, saving national resources. Without tackling corruption, even medicines are compromised; bribery corrodes everything. The President has made a zero-tolerance stance clear.

¶ 10 On mental health, economic strain reduces parental time with adolescents, leading to silent suffering. We will work with the Education Ministry to expand student and youth counseling and train parents to listen and spend quality time, while also improving family economics through this Budget.

¶ 11 Prisoners, though punished, remain human and retain rights. After years inside, many re-enter society without skills. We increased allocations by Rs. 100 million for skills development programmes for convicted prisoners so they can productively rejoin the economy.

¶ 12 Regarding the North and East, some in the Opposition worry we will “lose votes” by doing much for the North. But Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna was sincerely happy. Our Budget makes no North–South distinctions; it serves all our people.

¶ 13 This Budget will raise living standards over the next five years, delivering “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” and should be passed with a large majority.